Conference to explore aspects of aging

Opinion: Most senior citizens have more than one chronic disease

Over the past 30 years, the proportion of the Canadian population made up of those aged 65 years and older has increased from nine per cent to 14 per cent, and they will make up more than one-quarter of the population by the year 2050.

Photograph by: PNG
, Files

Population aging, one of the most significant trends of the 21st century, has far-reaching implications for all aspects of society, not the least of which is health care.

Over the past 30 years, the proportion of the Canadian population made up of those aged 65 years and older has increased from nine per cent to 14 per cent, and they will make up more than one-quarter of the population by the year 2050, according to estimates in The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2010.

On the one hand, aging of the population is seen as a dramatic success story. On the other hand, there are questions and concerns related to quality care and services to support the physical, mental and social well-being of older adults.

Research and education are key to supporting healthy aging, including prevention, treatment and care.

Crucial areas of research include dementia and other chronic illnesses, and mental health. Chronic diseases of long duration and generally slow progression affect physical and mental well-being and the skills to carry out daily activities.

Adding to the complexity, 70 per cent of older adults have more than one chronic disease. The negative impact for older adults affected by mental illness, such as depression, is far-reaching. The suicide rate for the elderly is two to three times higher than the rate for the general population.

Another area of research focuses on falls prevention. The impact of fall-related injuries among the older Canadian population is staggering in terms of preventable suffering, disability and death. Comprehensive injury prevention strategies that address identified risk factors among seniors are known to be most effective.

For all health care professionals working with older adults, ongoing education is vital. Knowledge translation is the adaptation of research findings into effective treatments, services and products, and includes collaborative information sharing and problem-solving between researchers and care providers.

Opportunities that bring together researchers, practitioners and ethical and legal experts are paramount.

On Friday, April 12, the 10th Annual British Columbia Geriatric Services Conference, The Voices of Aging, will bring together more than 270 health care practitioners at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Sponsored by the Tapestry Foundation for Health Care, the conference will be led by researchers, practitioners, and legal and ethical experts to discuss current topics in aging.

Keynote addresses include ones by Dr. Larry Dian, internist and clinical professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of B.C., who discusses the keys to successful aging and how to support autonomy and functional independence. Dr. John Sloan, senior academic physician, Department of Family Practice, UBC, discusses his approach and experience that supports caring for frail older persons in their own homes.

Workshop topics include depression in older adults and ethical and legal perspectives on decision-making. Internationally known journalist and author Peter McKnight and Dr. Lynn Beattie, dementia researcher and professor emeritus, Division of Geriatric Medicine, UBC, will facilitate questions and reflections.

The conference concludes with an evening theatrical performance, The Other Side of Alzheimer’s: Illuminating the Enduring Human Spirit. This uplifting performance is based on recorded conversations between a mother and daughter during the years the mother had Alzheimer’s. This presentation is open to the public at no charge. To register, go to www.tapestryfoundation.ca.

Over the past 30 years, the proportion of the Canadian population made up of those aged 65 years and older has increased from nine per cent to 14 per cent, and they will make up more than one-quarter of the population by the year 2050.

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.